There’s no doubt about it – Brazil 2014 is already one of THE greatest World Cups we’ve ever seen. And we’ve just been served up another stupendous match involving Holland, the team of the tournament so far.
Neutrals expected a landslide when Australia, the lowest ranked team to reach the finals, went behind early on. But the drama that followed makes this one of the best games in a thrilling opening week of the greatest show on earth.
20 min: It was Arjen Robben at his explosive best when he tore through the Aussies to open the scoring on 20 minutes.
But 60 seconds later we saw a fabulous contender for goal of the tournament from Tim Cahill. The former Everton and Millwall man unleashed a goal every bit as special as that famous strike by Dutchman Marco Van Basten in the 1988 European Championships
54 min: Even the Aussie fans were pinching themselves in disbelief when Mile Jedinak gave their side the lead after the break.
58 min: But Robin Van Persie showed his class to put the Dutch level. And Australia missed a golden opportunity to put Australia back in front.
68 min: Then Memphis Depay caught out Aussie keeper Mathew Ryan with a long range winner that almost certainly guarantees Holland a place in the knockout stages.
For those of us who watch the English Premier League we’re used to seeing plenty of goals, plenty of drama and plenty of upsets. But World Cups rarely provide this much entertainment.
For me it’s already the best World Cup since my own personal favourite in Mexico 1970 when Brazil beat Italy 4-1 in the greatest final I’ve ever seen.
